Thoughts on the Election

My overall feeling about the elections is relief. And buoyancy knowing balance has a chance to return to the House of Representatives with a democratic majority. This can be a check to balance the white house if it is played correctly.

In the past two years many issues have been jerrymandered and distorted. An overplaying of executive privilege in the main, but still, with a salivating republican horde in the House anxious to prove willing lapdogs to the inexperienced and callow president, much damage has been done.

DACA repair is needed. Immigration management revisions and engineering are needed. A decent discussion on gun controls is needed. And fiscal responsibility is a must to build sustainable strength for the economy.

Speaking of which, our economy is currently weak. The stock market is seriously overpriced. Commodity markets are in complete disarray. Tariffs are mucking up the works. Employment may seem high with very low unemployment, but that doesn’t take into account the structural unemployment that is a serious social problem – more education, career development, and re-employment of skilled, experienced workers who were pushed out of the labor market by massive changes to their industries. Those employers will not be hiring them back; those jobs are gone forever. This is the face of change. But shouldn’t we all be helping those people get back to work? Without such help, depression, suicide and high social costs soon follow. It is in our interests to be caring and supportive of these folks. And it is good business, too; employers will use these people if they are re-tooled for newer jobs coming on line.

Tax cuts for the wealthy need to be moderated; revenue streams need some restoration. I’m not in favor of any more tax cuts until the revenue and expense streams are in better balance.

And let’s stop the talk about ‘entitlements.’ Social Security and Medicare are insurance programs funded by mandatory premiums shared by both workers and employers. The federal government does not fund these two massive programs. We fund them; we the people.

It is wonderful to know two of the most conservative power mongers of the congress were our local congressmen – Roskam and Hultgren. They lost their seats because they did not listen to their constituents. They did not serve their districts. Their callousness was on view in full scope. Sad. But now it is good riddance while others learn how to govern more fairly and in tune with the people.

We have elected blacks, browns and many women as well. A healthy diversity is growing. Not in full bloom as yet, but getting there. It is time the faces of our government reflect the faces of our people.

The agenda going forward ought to be a healthy discussion on what we want from our government in the next 15 years or so. What kind of people are we and hope to become?

Making programs and policies conform to that Mission and Vision takes time and will come when ready and right. No sudden moves, please. Let’s do this carefully and build for the ages. Short term goals are most likely poorly done tasks that create longer lasting problems difficult to fix. Witness the bad business of past funding of public pension programs. That debacle needs never to be repeated. The damage that has been done needs to be undone. This, too, will take time, but this issue is huge in Illinois and other states, and a burgeoning problem on a national scale, too.

Let’s get it right this time. More of the right people are in place to make this happen. Support their efforts but watch them carefully.

Oh, and thanks for voting! None of this would be possible without the votes that made it happen.

Congratulations, America! You have another chance to get it right.

November 9, 2018